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Clinical features, epidemiology, and treatment of Plesiomonas shigelloides diarrhea
1Division of Medical Microbiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Abstract:
Recent studies have suggested that Plesiomonas shigelloides is a cause of diarrhea. The present study addresses the clinical features, epidemiology, and response to antimicrobial therapy of P. shigelloides diarrhea. Thirty cases of P. shigelloides infection were defined by isolation of the organism from stool specimens, and 30 age-matched control patients were identified by detection of other enteric pathogens. Clinical and epidemiological information was obtained by interviewing the referring physicians and the patients. Of the P. shigelloides-infected patients, 71% had a history of recent tropical travel, but 29% acquired their infections locally in association with the consumption of seafood or untreated water or both. Seventy-eight percent of the P. shigelloides-infected patients had findings suggestive of colitis, and P. shigelloides-infected patients had a history of tropical travel, acute illness, abdominal pain, and prolonged symptoms significantly more often than did the control patients. Antimicrobial therapy significantly reduced the duration of illness in patients with Plesiomonas diarrhea. These results suggest that P. shigelloides is a significant cause of both locally acquired and traveler's diarrhea that may respond to antimicrobial therapy.
Insights
Plesiomonas shigelloides causes diarrhea, particularly in travelers and from contaminated food or water. Antimicrobial therapy can shorten the duration of illness for patients with Plesiomonas diarrhea.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Plesiomonas shigelloides has been increasingly recognized as a potential cause of diarrheal illness.
- Understanding its clinical presentation, epidemiology, and treatment is crucial for effective patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical features, epidemiological factors, and response to antimicrobial therapy in Plesiomonas shigelloides-associated diarrhea.
- To determine the significance of P. shigelloides as a cause of both traveler's diarrhea and locally acquired infections.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 30 patients with P. shigelloides infection and 30 age-matched controls.
- Data collection included physician and patient interviews for clinical and epidemiological information.
- Stool specimens were analyzed for pathogen identification.
Main Results:
- 71% of infected patients reported recent tropical travel; 29% acquired infections locally through contaminated seafood or untreated water.
- 78% of P. shigelloides-infected patients exhibited symptoms suggestive of colitis.
- Patients with P. shigelloides diarrhea had significantly more frequent histories of tropical travel, acute illness, abdominal pain, and prolonged symptoms compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Plesiomonas shigelloides is a significant causative agent of both traveler's diarrhea and locally acquired diarrheal disease.
- Clinical manifestations often include colitis, abdominal pain, and prolonged symptoms.
- Antimicrobial therapy demonstrated a significant positive impact on reducing the duration of illness.